Contact:

Ben Veghte
NVCA
202.864.5923
bveghte@nvca.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NVCA Applauds Passage of TROL Act by Energy and Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) today issued the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters (TROL) Act of 2015 introduced by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX).

“We commend Rep. Burgess and his colleagues for taking this important step to rein in abusive behavior plaguing our nation’s patent system.  Individuals that seek to game the system for their own financial gain undermine our patent system and threaten innovation,” said Bobby Franklin, President and CEO of NVCA.

“While improvements can be made, we believe this legislation strikes a balance of curbing patent trolls while also protecting the rights of legitimate patent holders.  As the voice of the venture industry and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, we will continue to support carefully targeted solutions that don’t result in unintended consequences that could deter long-term investment in innovative ideas and technologies.”

About National Venture Capital Association

Venture capitalists are committed to funding America’s most innovative entrepreneurs, working closely with them to transform breakthrough ideas into emerging growth companies that drive U.S. job creation and economic growth. As the voice of the U.S. venture capital community, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) empowers its members and the entrepreneurs they fund by advocating for policies that encourage innovation and reward long-term investment. As the venture community’s preeminent trade association, NVCA serves as the definitive resource for venture capital data and unites its nearly 400 members through a full range of professional services. For more information about the NVCA, please visit www.nvca.org.